Captivated: Dare to Surrender, #0

By Danielle Pays

Needed: one fake boyfriend for the holidays

This holiday season, Macy must make a choice. Marry a man she detests to save her family's company or fake date the man she secretly wants in order to escape her fate.

Garrett has wanted Macy since college, but he made a promise that he wouldn't touch his best friend's little sister. But now that she is being pushed to marry another man, Garrett knows this is his last chance.

Now he has to convince Macy he is the one for her. As long as her brother doesn't kill him first.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fallen Trees Publishing LLC
• Release date: Nov 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9798215449981

Book preview

Chapter One

The crack of the bat could be heard from the bathroom. Garrett glanced at his reflection in the mirror as he washed his hands. He could do this. He could ask his best friend about his little sister without giving anything away.

Garrett had wanted Macy for so long but had never done anything about it. What could he do? Luke had made it clear she was off limits to all his friends. Plus, she was never single.

Until now. And so was he. A sheen of sweat broke out on his forehead as his nerves tried to take control. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

While walking back to the batting cage, he rubbed his hands together as the chill of the November air settled over him. He watched his best friend, Luke, take swing after swing, hitting each one.

Show off, Garrett said.

Luke missed one. Stop distracting me. This is my last round. I promised Ashley we’d have dinner with her parents tonight.

Thanks for driving all the way out here to see me, Garrett said.

Garrett had moved to the small town of Fisher Springs a couple of months ago. While it was only an hour from where Luke lived, he was usually too busy to make the trip.

After Luke hit his last ball, it was Garrett's turn. Luke handed him the bat. He wasn't nearly as good as his friend, but he could hit most of them.

No problem. Besides, truth be told, I wanted to check in on Macy too. I still can’t believe Dad moved the company headquarters out here. I thought for sure Macy would commute but she said she puts in too many hours for that.

That’s right. Macy lived in the same town as Garrett. Fisher Springs was a small town, but he had loved it ever since he was a child. Visiting his grandma here was something he always looked forward to. The town was picturesque with the snowy mountain tops in the background and everyone in town was friendly and always looking to help out. It was a bit of a drive for his job, but once he inherited his grandma’s home, he knew this was where he wanted to live. The fact Macy lived in this town too was just a perk. Yes, that’s what he told himself.

How are Jackson and Macy doing? Garrett asked, hoping Luke didn't see through him. Luke was protective of his little sister to the point of making Garrett promise in college never to make a move on her.

Garrett remembered the day she arrived at Havenwood University. He hadn't seen her since she was a sophomore in high school, and the woman that showed up on campus was not the girl he remembered.

But he'd ruined any chance they had together the night of the first fraternity party. After her date had passed out on the couch, Garrett had offered to walk her back to her dorm. He should have seen it coming. They reached her dorm, and she got up on her tiptoes and kissed him. For a moment, he kissed her back. The kiss was everything he thought it would be. At least it was until Luke's voice popped into his head, causing him to jump away from her.

We can't, he'd said. You're supposed to be like a little sister to me.

Macy's eyes had welled up with tears and she’d ran inside before Garrett could explain what he meant. From that night on, Macy avoided Garrett. The few times she did talk to him, it was clear she no longer liked him very much. As hard as it was, he’d let it go.

But ever since he’d found out Macy had finally dumped her latest douche bag boyfriend; he couldn't get her out of his mind. This was the first time since college they were both single at the same time and damn it, he wanted to do something about it. Hopefully, he could make Luke understand.

Luke laughed. It’s funny that I live an hour away and see them more often than you do. Jackson’s fine. Always working. Macy's working hard too. And my dad's making it worse, Luke said.

Again? I thought he already came down on Jackson and Macy when you refused to ‘take your proper place in the family business’, Garrett said imitating Hal, Luke’s father.

Luke chuckled. Yeah, but that wasn’t as bad.

What's he doing now? Asking for eighty hours a week? Garrett said as he hit the ball with a bit too much force.

You know he's a bit old-fashioned, right?

Garrett nodded between swings.

He thinks Macy should be married by now to the son of one of his associates. The guy’s an asshole, but dad doesn't see it that way. To him, it’s two powerful families joining forces.

He wants your sister to marry someone for money?

Pretty much. Money and status. That's what's important to my dad.

Garrett hit a few more balls stewing over the situation.

What about your brother? Does he have to marry for money?

Luke shook his head. Jackson made it clear he's never getting married. Macy tried to make the same thing clear as well, but my dad won't listen.

After hitting the last ball, Garrett turned to Luke. That's shitty.

But it gets worse. Dad's insisting she go to a fundraiser with the guy to announce to everyone that they’re a couple.

How do you know all this? I didn't think she talked about her personal life with you. Garrett remembered Luke complaining in college about how he never knew what was going on with her because she was so private.

She confided to Ashley.

I'm glad she's friends with your wife. Otherwise, you'd never know anything.

Tell me about it. But I really don’t like how Macy is handling this.

Garrett exited the batting cage.

What's going on?

Luke's grip on the chain link fencing tightened. Macy told Ashley she’s been going out every night to some bar in Davenport trying to meet someone to take as a date to the fundraiser to avoid Dad's master plan. Last night she told Ashley she finally struck gold, and some guy agreed to go with her.

Davenport was the next town over and it has a higher population than Fisher Springs. Despite that, Garrett had spent enough time in Bucky’s, the popular bar in Davenport, to know Macy was likely not meeting quality men.

Why the fuck is she doing that? All she’ll find there are guys looking for a hook up. Garrett said as he shoved the bat a little too hard into the bag. Macy was gorgeous. Any man would be lucky to be her date to some boring fundraiser. Why was she hanging out in bars to find men anyway?

I'm not cool with it either. We both know exactly what kind of guys she’s likely meeting. I suspect whoever the asshole is, he thinks he's getting lucky after.

Fuck. Garrett clenched his fists around the straps of his bag. Why would Macy do this? Why not finally stand up to her father and say no? She was twenty-six and had no problem telling most people where they could stick their opinions, especially Garrett. Yet, she always bent to her father’s will. He didn't understand why.

Garrett never really knew his father, who was a pilot for a major airline. He could count on one hand the number of times his dad came home before his mother finally told him to stay gone. Garrett had been ten and devastated. Thank god for Mark, his stepfather. Not only was he a great stepfather, but he was the reason Garrett was one of the most successful Realtors in the state. He’d taught him everything he knew about selling commercial properties.

Any chance you're going to the fundraiser? I was hoping you might be there and could keep an eye on her for me, Luke said.

Ever since they met in high school when Garrett's stepdad enrolled him in private school, he and Luke had always had each other's backs. He'd do anything for Luke, and the fact it involved Macy was simply a bonus.

I'll find a way to go. Which one is it?

It's in the city. It’s for the children's hospital. Here— Luke pulled his phone out of his pocket. I'll text you the details.

You have the details but aren't going?

Luke shook his head. Dad tried to talk me into it, but I said no. This was before the Macy debacle.

The moment the screen lit up; Garrett forwarded the message to his assistant to obtain a ticket to the event.

Thanks. I knew I could count on you. Luke patted him on the shoulder. I have to go.

No problem. I'll catch you later.

Garrett grinned as he imagined Macy's face when she saw him at the event. He'd be the third wheel she couldn’t get rid of. Maybe he should give her a little warning, so she knew